How would you guys like to see a furniture makeover today? It’s been a while hasn’t it? One of my sweet readers was curious about this table when she saw it in one of the pictures of my Christmas Market booth. I have a few pieces that I did for that show that I haven’t shared yet, so I promised her I would start with this one. 🙂
I found this drop leaf table at a yard sale last Summer for $35. Kinda plain, no bells or whistles. (Wouldn’t it be funny if it actually had bells and whistles he he?!)
It sat in my garage forever because I had a hard time trying to decide what to do with it. The oval shape kept throwing me off. I finally came up with an idea and I love the result:
I think it has so much charm and personality now.
I painted the top with Annie Sloan’s Graphite Chalk Paint and the legs with my DIY chalk paint in Behr’s Cottage White.
I got the graphic from the Graphic’s Fairy. Karen also shares a super easy way to print large graphics, www.blockposters.com. It really is SO easy! Just go to their site and upload your image. Choose how many sheets of paper wide you want it to be and that’s it! It prints out in several sheets:
I printed this out in the reverse by habit because I usually would be transferring to a light surface. (In which case, I would lay this print side down and run a pencil across the entire image to transfer to my furniture surface.)
I reprinted this right-side-up though so all I had to do was run chalk across the back, position on my surface, and trace the letters with a pencil to transfer.
The chalk shows better on dark furniture.
I painted the letters in with a script liner brush and acrylic paint. When it was dry, I wiped it clean and sealed it with Annie Sloan clear wax.
I set it up in this corner to take photos:
It’s a bit small for the space, but I love the black and white…matches my dining room perfectly!
The result resembles chalkboard art a bit.
Hopefully Daddy will see who is to blame for the lights being on in the middle of the day…
Makeovers are my favorite. Most of the pieces I did for my show were small because I had very limited space. As you can see here, it was packed!
XO,
Cindy Eikenberg says
Christy – I love every piece of furniture you do! This one, though, really strikes a chord with me because I have an old, drop-leaf table (and I mean old!) that is just begging for a makeover. I need to get over myself and just try it! I’m so afraid that I’ll never paint the graphics as perfectly as you do. Ok, perhaps this Spring I’ll finally take the plunge. I absolutely LOVE the black and white. Pinning! Keep the inspiration coming! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! If this were bigger, I would have kept it. I love the black and white too! I redid a piano bench similarly that I did end up keeping. I’ll share that soon! You should give it a try, its basically just painting inside the lines. I’ve seen what you can do…you could definitely do this! Hope your week is off to a great start!! 🙂
Cindy @ Diy beautify says
It’s gorgeous Christy! I think I have that same graphic saved in my “inspirations” folder! I love using her graphics 🙂 Beautiful job!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! I struggled with what to do with it because of the shape, but when I saw this graphic I knew it would be perfect! She does have great graphics! Have a great week 🙂
Vickie says
Brilliantly done! I love that idea and would never have thought to do it with a drop leaf table. It looks so good! Very clever.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Vickie! I struggled with what to do with it because of the shape, but I love how it turned out! Thanks for visiting! XO
June G. says
Christy…that is the cutest table! I love graphite and you did an excellent job with the transfer! I have two similar tables…I’m motivated now, thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, June! I’m so glad you feel inspired 🙂
Kim says
I love how this turned out. Thank you for this tutorial. I have been wanting to do this to a small table in my daughter’s room… Now I know how!
Christy K. James says
Awesome, Kim! Glad I could help 🙂 XO
Pamela says
What a beautiful job you did on this little gem. I also love the lamp, did you make that as well?
*Smiles*
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Pamela! I found the lamp at a Home Goods, isn’t it so cute?! I bet we could figure out how to make one though 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Oh I love, love it Christy!! It is gorgeous…and I agree, makeovers are my favorite too!
Hope you are having a great week!
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! I finally signed up for a booth in an antique mall today! There is a short waiting list, but I am so excited!! XO
Marie@TheInteriorFrugalista says
It’s gorgeous Christy – I love how you laid out the graphic. Graphite is one of my favorite ASCP colors and pairing it with white is stunning. Another great makeover!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Marie! I love Graphite, too…it adds so much richness to a piece! Hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
Beverley Leonie says
Utterly, utterly charming. Kudos to you.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Beverley! 🙂
Shanna Gilbert says
This turned out so pretty! You did a wonderful job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shanna! That means a lot…your pieces always turn out so pretty! XO
Pam Lawson says
Thanks so much for posting this!!! It is even more beautiful up close than it was in the Christmas Market picture. I am going to tackle my grandmother’s table with something similar (maybe not such much lettering..just because I don’t think I could do that much)…I still have the original hardware…small glass ball legs, etc and I think it will be stunning painted like this. I am so glad someone pinned your gate picture on Pinterest…that’s how I found your blog. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thank you and you are SO welcome, Pam!! I am so glad you found me too! Feel free to share a picture of your finished table. I’d love to see it 🙂
Elaine says
Fantastic table! I’m wondering if you have ever used the Sharpie paint pen for writing and small graphics? I bought mine in white from Home Depot. It is oil based. I have yet to use it over my Annie Sloan graphite chalk paint. Just curious! Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Elaine! I did attempt to use a fine point sharpie paint pen (water based) in black on another piece, but it didn’t do as good of a job with the tiny letters. I felt like I had more control using a small script liner brush. The oil based pen may have done a better job? For me, I got much prettier results and my letters flowed more nicely with a brush. 🙂
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint says
Christy…you are my idol!! I think I want to buy a garage with a house attached so I can fill it with all the furniture I want to re-do. But, for now I will live vicariously through you. 🙂 Beautiful table!!
xoxo
Denyse
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Denyse!! Today I finally checked into renting a booth space at an antique mall near me…there’s a short waiting list, but I signed up! Woohoo! I am so excited…now it’s your turn! We’ll take this plunge together! 🙂
Deborah says
This little table turned out awesome! I love the graphic. Your booth looks amazing too.
Happy New Year
Deborah
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Deborah! 🙂
Michelle says
Christy,
I was just clicking away everywhere, I saw your drop leaf table and……AHHHH (spiritual music) it is wonderful. I have just begun construction on a blog of my own. I have only commented on one other blog and it was …..YOU. It is you again! You wow me. Also, I like your name I think it’s funny. Not Christy, that is a fine name, but Confessions of a serial do-it-yourselfer.
Christy K. James says
That is AWESOME, Michelle!! You just made my day! When I was looking for a blog name, I had been reading an article online from a gal in Australia that had mentioned she moved around so much, she was turning into a “Serial Mover” and I too thought it was funny. That’s where the “Serial” came from! Drop me a message when you get your blog up and going, I’d love to come check it out and return the blog love 🙂
Krista @thehappyhousie says
It totally resembles chalkboard art – I love it!! My little guy loves to turn the lamps on for us too:)
Christy K. James says
Mine hasn’t actually figured it out yet, but he was trying…I can still blame him though, right?? 🙂
Lindsey @ DishingUpHope says
So, SO adorable! And I LOVE that lamp in the picture too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lindsey! The lamp was a Home Goods find, I thought it was so cute too!
Cathy says
Christy, I love this table and blockposter is awesome. I have used them in the past also. I have a table in my garage that is similar – waiting for a transformation. I like the idea of putting a graphic on it. Thank you for the inspiration and sharing… Cathy
Christy K. James says
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy! Love love loved your owl pillow! XO
Toodie says
OMG, I am officially in love! Beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Yay! Thanks,Toodie! 🙂
Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says
Oh your table is just darling! Great job! I have only done a couple of image transfers on furniture. I am looking forward to trying it again soon.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Lisa! I love the look of graphics on furniture too 🙂
Paula Willbanks says
So beautiful! You did an amazing job! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Paula! 🙂
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
Christy,
This is extraordinary!!!! You are amazing. Will you please move next door so a little of your creativity will rub off on me? 😉
Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous table at Project Inspire{d}!!
Hope your weekend is filled with Extraordinary moments!!
~Diane
Danielle says
I have that same table. What a great transformation… It gives me some ideas of what to do with mine.
Beth says
I am struggling (and very new) with how to download images to Block Poster… I have followed all the directions(tutorials) with The Graphic Fairy and Block Poster but when I get to step three to print it is pixelled and not a sharp picture. Please help??
Christy K. James says
Hi Beth, Sorry to hear you are having trouble. I have had that happen when trying to blow up something pretty big, but I can usually still use it to transfer an outline of my graphic. Maybe try to find a larger graphic if you need it for a large piece? Or perhaps the image you are downloading is too small? Sorry I can’t help more. Good luck 😉
Beth says
Thanks Christy…I did print it out and want to try my hand with it. My goal is to get my hands on a projector-I think that is going to be the easiest way to do transfers onto furniture such as dressers.
Again, thank you and I appreciate the quick response-Love your drop leaf table by the way!
Beth
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Beth! Hope it works out! XO
Joan B. says
Hi Kristy. I have a drop leaf table I am not sure what to do with so thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial on transferring on to black. Brilliant!
Joan
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Joan! Drop leaf tables are tough to figure out. This one took me a while and I’m so glad you like the result! XO
Andi says
Great table….and I love that lamp too! I suppose you made THAT, too. Brat. 🙂
-andi
Christy K. James says
Aha! Gotcha! I actually did not make the lamp…found it at Home Goods! Isn’t it so cute? I bet it’s not too hard to make hmmm….
Ariean @OneKriegerChick says
Thank you for linking up to the Hit Me With Your Best Shot Link Party Last week. Hope to see you and your Awesome ideas tonight at 7 EST!
~Ariean http://onekriegerchick.com/
Judy says
You did such an awesome job. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
Amazing makeover!! You are one of the features at The Round-Up from Before and After Wednesday at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to The Round-Up. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-round-up-from-before-and-after.html Hope to see you again tomorrow at Before & After Wednesday! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Aniko@PlaceOfMyTaste says
Lovely project! I am loving your new table!Featuring you at WIW tomorrow!hope you can stop by.
Christy K. James says
You are awesome…thank you!! 🙂
Debra Aubin says
I love the way your table came out, all of it the style, colors, and graphic. I have read how others use a script liner brush to paint in the words. I have to ask you how easy/difficult is this to do? I feel that I would make a mess of it trying to stay in the lines and have a shaky hand doing it. Would it work if I used a fine tip marker? Perhaps you can offer some advise for me in using the script liner brush. I would really appreciate your help. I have a small table like yours that I would love to try my hand at. Thank you for any advice you can offer. Best wishes
Christy K. James says
Hi Debra! I would try painting the script on a practice piece first. It really isn’t too bad if you have a steady hand. The brush I use is a liner brush and I found it at Michaels with all the loose paint brushes in the artist section. It’s from the group of brushes that have reddish handles. I love it! I have tried using a marker and it tends to dry out as you use it on the painted surface. You also don’t get the fine fine edges you can get with a liner brush. If you want to try a marker though, try the sharpie paint pens, also available at Michaels. Good luck! Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Jeanne says
Hi! I couldn’t find that graphic on graphis fairys website, would you mind telling me what it is called so I can do a search for it? Thanks! Love the table!!
Christy K. James says
Here ya go, Jeanne! http://thegraphicsfairy.com/vintage-perfume-label-image/ Thanks!! XO